Starting Your Online Business? Dodge These 7 Mistakes for a Smooth Launch
- 22 April 2024
Over my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve nibbled on the bitter fruits of error more times than I care to admit. But hey, that’s what makes me somewhat of an inadvertent guru on what not to do when you’re itching to get your online business off the ground.
I’ve made enough mistakes for both of us, so why not learn from mine? After all, I’ve been there, done that, and oh boy, have I bought the expensive T-shirt!
So, put down that perfect shade of aquamarine for your logo and listen up.
1. Obsessing Over Logos
We’ve all been there, agonizing over the perfect logo. But here’s a wake-up call: your potential customers care more about what you can do for them than what shades of color your logo combines.
Instead of spending weeks fine-tuning a logo, or asking untargeted strangers opinions in Facebook groups, focus on defining your value proposition. What makes your business unique? Use those dollar store cue cards to jot down ideas and get going.
Your logo can evolve as your business does.
Logos, oh logos. Can’t start a business without them – or can you? Look, if you absolutely must have a logo to feel like a bona fide business owner, then don’t let it turn into your personal Moby Dick.
Head over to Canva for a quick, easy, and wallet-friendly logo that won’t swallow weeks of your time. They’ve got templates that are sexier than a midnight infomercial and easier to use than your TV remote.
2. Crafting the “Perfect” Business Plan
I can’t stress enough how futile it is to draft a War and Peace-esque business plan when you haven’t even dipped your toes in the water.
Reality check: the business arena is ever-changing, and your first plan will inevitably meet its first roadblock.
Instead, sketch out a flexible and concise plan that outlines your key objectives, target market, and basic financial projections. Think of it as a compass, not a road map.
If Tolstoy started a business, he’d still be writing the business plan. Don’t be a Tolstoy.
I digress. If you need to get that plan on paper, and you’re feeling about as lost as a penguin in a desert, download our straightforward 2-page business plan template right here.
It’ll help you distill your Jedi-like business wisdom without having to pen a Russian classic.
3. Seeking Approval on Trivial Matters
Ah, the relentless pursuit of validation from friends, family, and that one guy from high school you haven’t talked to in a decade.
Here’s the deal: opinions are like keyboards – everyone has one, especially on subjects as subjective as logo colors or business names. While feedback is essential, discern whose opinions genuinely matter.
Stop asking if your logo should be teal or aquamarine. Guess what? Your cat doesn’t know the difference, and neither does your revenue.
If feedback is your middle name, seek it from your target audience. If you can’t spot them, check out survey tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms which are great for collecting opinions from the people who actually matter most – your potential customers.
4. Drowning in Analysis Paralysis
Ever felt so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice out there that you end up doing nothing at all? Welcome to analysis paralysis.
The truth is, no amount of research can substitute real-world experience. Pick a starting point based on informed decisions and adjust as you go. Remember, action trumps overthinking every time.
Analysis Paralysis should be a banned substance. It’s the entrepreneurial equivalent of quicksand. No tool can dig you out, but sidestepping it is easier with a dose of action.
Try the Pomodoro Technique to break your tasks into manageable intervals. It’s like speed dating, but with your to-do list, and significantly less awkward silences.
5. Overcomplicating Your Offer
In an attempt to be everything to everyone, you end up confusing your potential customers and sometimes, even confusing yourself. And you know what they say, “when you speak to everyone, you’re talking to no one”.
A cluttered array of products or services can dilute your brand message. Start with a core offer that addresses a specific problem for a specific audience. Once you’ve nailed this, consider expanding your lineup. Simplification is sophistication.
If your product line is more complicated than explaining the plot of “Inception” after three espressos, you need to simplify. To find your focus, peep on resources like The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. It’s a book, but don’t worry, there’s no reading test at the end.
6. Ignoring the Power of an MVP
MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product, not Most Valuable Player, though it’s certainly a valuable player in the startup game.
Launching with an MVP allows you to test your business concept without fully committing all your resources. Collect feedback, understand what works, tweak what doesn’t, and gradually build up. This iterative process is far more efficient than trying to launch with what you perceive as a finished product.
Check out LeanStack that can help you flesh out that MVP faster than you can say “launch.”
7. Misjudging the Importance of Customer Service
In the digital age, poor customer service can be your downfall faster than you can say “refund.” Don’t fall into the trap of underestimating this crucial aspect of your business.
From day one, ensure that your customers can reach you easily and that you address their concerns promptly and professionally. A satisfied customer is not only a repeat customer but also an enthusiastic advocate for your brand.
Bad customer service is like a viral tweet for all the wrong reasons. Don’t be that tweet. Be the business that shines with stellar customer service from the start. Tools like Zendesk or HelpScout can make you feel like the Mother Teresa of customer care. Amen to that.
And just like that, we’ve dodged the seven common pitfalls of starting an online business.
Remember, the goal isn’t to launch perfectly but to launch wisely. Learn as you go, adapt, and remember – the only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.
You’ve got the goods now; just remember that every master was once a disaster. Avoid these pitfalls, and you’re already leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
So don’t just sit there – go make some epic business history!